04-11-10 River Edge, NJ - Working Fire

April 11, 2010 - At approx 0515 hrs, River Edge fire fighters were dispatched for a reported smoke in the house at 40 Elizabeth Street. First arriving River Edge police officers confirmed heavy smoke showing and that they have two residents outside and requested EMS to the scene for possible smoke inhalation. Department Chief Bill Sanders arrives establishing Command and requests a FAST team from the City of Hackensack which brought Deputy Chief Ken Kalman (Deputy 4) and Ladder 1. Engine 2 arrives and tags the hydrant as crews stretch two 1-3/4 handlines, one charged line into the basement and the other as a back-up. Ladder 1 arrives taking the front of the structure as crews conduct primary and secondary searches, placed ground ladders and to locate the seat of the fire.

Second Lieutenant Alex Breuss located a family cat in a 2nd floor bedroom and Captain Bill MacRae reunited it to the homeowners who were being treated by EMS. The fire was quickly knocked down and confined to the furnace where several objects on and around it were on fire. The truck company set up for horizontal ventilation as crews began to pack up. River Edge Volunteer Ambulance Service treated and transported the two homeowners to HUMC with minor injuries.